title: Effects of maternal exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A during pregnancy on gestational age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are ubiquitous environmental toxicants, present in high concentrations in numerous consumer products. We hypothesized that maternal exposure to phthalates and BPA in pregnancy is associated with shortened gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary phthalate and BPA metabolites from 72 pregnant women were measured at the last obstetric clinic visit prior to delivery. Using linear regression models, we estimated the change in gestational age associated with each interquartile range (IQR) increase in phthalate and BPA metabolite concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IQR increases in urinary mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and BPA concentrations were associated with 4.2 and 1.1 d decreases in gestation, respectively. When stratified by gender, these alterations were found only in male infants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that MEHHP and BPA (free + glucuronide) are associated with reductions in gestation, with effects observed only in males. Our findings are consistent with the idea that these agents induce gender-specific alterations in signaling via PPAR-γ transcription factor, androgen precursors and/or inflammatory mediators during the initiation of labor.
authors.affiliation: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School .
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vetrano
authors.forename: Faith E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Marcella
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wartenberg
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: Jammie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klim
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azhar
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavin
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: David Q
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000139:chemically induced*; D047929:Term Birth / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010636:Phenols; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds